The former shock jock, known for attracting controversy, was reinstalled as the head of the 2014 Fringe Festival by Arts Minister Joy Burch earlier this year.

The government gave $20,000 annually for four years to Fringe, as well as an additional $20,000 for next year's event.

Ms Burch praised Gardner for his ability to bring the ''flair and edge'' to the festival.

Gardner was charged two offences - driving unlicensed and drink driving - after he was stopped by police in Braddon earlier this year.

Unlicensed drivers have a legal limit of zero.

The local identity was due to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court to answer the charges on Monday.

But Gardner failed to show up.

Magistrate Robert Cook said it was the second time he had missed a court date, and issued a warrant for Gardner's arrest. The Canberra identity declined to comment on the allegations on Thursday.

It is understood he is in Queensland and had instructed his lawyer to adjourn Monday's proceedings on his behalf.

Gardner was the founding director of the Fringe Festival, which ran alongside the Multicultural Festival in Civic from 2004 to 2009.

But he lost his position when Fringe was merged with the Folk Festival in 2009.

His re-appointment in June caused some controversy, because the position was not advertised to the public.

Gardner has worked with WIN News Canberra and 2CC AM Radio, and has had experience with theatre, visual art, cabaret, dance, and musical presentations.

He was sacked from 2CC in November last year in controversial circumstances.

He had made national headlines earlier that year after making comments about former prime minister Julia Gillard being ''upskirted'' at a cabinet meeting.